Skin and bark are the sensitive protective layers of bodies, they keep in moisture and shield our insides from harm. The cells in skin and bark also regenerate, as bodies grow, old cells flake off and the organ creates new cells to accommodate the growing body. Whilst skin and bark are durable to protect the more vulnerable organs within, they are also porous, they absorb, release and regulate gases in the air. If cut or wounded, a gap is created in the body that fungi, insects or pathogens might use to enter and cause the body harm. As we age our skin is exposed to the elements, the flaking cells cause cracks and the young smooth skin becomes wrinkled. These marks make each body unique; experiences of wounds, disease or insect attacks leave scars. The rate at which each body ages also differs, and skin can become decorated with moss or tattoos. Just as someone can tell by the sagging under our eyes, we can ask a tree; how strong are you right now? What do you need to be cared for? By simply noticing the bark, we can ask for consent to harvest, or use sap. Humans are also sensitive to the bursts of scent in the air that trees use to communicate, as historically we would need to know when the trees that shade and regulate the forest that feeds us are in trouble. Perhaps we can tune back into these vegetal senses.
Trees warn each other when a harmful insect or animal is attacking and some trees bloom in time for one specific pollinator that they like. For example, the eucalyptus only blooms when the flying foxes are around. In order to sense who is a threat and who they want to attract, perhaps they experience pleasant touch from the pollinators but uncomfortable touch from the ants and insects that chew on their leaves and burrow in there bark. This sound piece tunes us into these different bodily responses to these different interactions.
